Today we are continuing the conversation about cortisol. We are at the final episode of the cortisol series. We started this 3-part series with a deep discussion of what exactly cortisol is - a thorough understanding of this is key for management. Last week we focused on high cortisol. In our overstressed and overworked society, cortisol is a common issue and can be overlooked if we are only looking through a conventional medicine lens. I run cortisol testing often in my practice and have yet to see a “normal” result. How is this possible? How can every single test show adrenal dysfunction? What does that tell us?  We need to be asking “why”.

Just a quick disclaimer that this podcast is meant for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or be a substitute for medical advice from your practitioner.

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Referenced book - Cortisol: The Master Hormone: Improve Your Health, Weight, Fertility, Menopause, Longevity, and Reduce Stress: https://amzn.to/3HZMvg7

Dr. Thomas Guilliams book: The Role of Stress and the HPA Axis in Chronic Disease Management: https://amzn.to/3HjA7XP

** Interesting articles for more information**

Molecular links between endocrine, nervous and immune system during chronic stress: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7882157/

Association between Higher Serum Cortisol Levels and Decreased Insulin Secretion in a General Population: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0166077

Stress adaptation is associated with insulin resistance in women with gestational diabetes mellitus: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41387-020-0107-8

A Comprehensive Overview on Stress Neurobiology: Basic Concepts and Clinical Implications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6043787/pdf/fnbeh-12-00127.pdf

The relationship between 24-hr urinary cortisol and bone in healthy young women: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2911474/pdf/nihms715

Adrenal insufficiency: https://jcp.bmj.com/content/jclinpath/75/7/435.full.pdf

Adrenal Crisis: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23948-adrenal-crisis

Anxiolytic activity of Panax ginseng roots: an experimental study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1684404/